An agricultural redeployment expo held in Te Anau today generated strong interest from tourism workers who have lost their jobs.

The day was organised by the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), along with its agricultural faculty Telford, in collaboration with agricultural and forestry industry groups, some of whom brought an assortment of large tractors and machinery to demonstrate.

With skilled driver shortages looming for agricultural contractors and significant job losses in hospitality, tourism and retail, SIT saw the need to support newly redundant workers into agricultural and forestry jobs with a six-week training course run in conjunction with the industry.

The first expo was held in Queenstown yesterday and at both, some attendees chose to sign up for the six-week course on the spot.

A popular exhibit at today’s expo was a simulated tractor, giving people an opportunity to test-drive a big machine. Telford student Curtis Whyte, who was assisting with the demonstration, said some people who had taken the controls had never been near a tractor before. He said they had also appreciated getting a student’s perspective on what Telford had to offer. 

SIT International Department and Marketing Manager Chami Abeysinghe said around 60 people had pre-registered to attend the Te Anau expo, with more than a dozen walk-ins also turning up before lunchtime.

“Our aim was the give people who had already lost their job or facing redundancies an opportunity to look at a different career prospect.”

There are 20 places available on each of the short training courses to allow people who may have lost their employment to quickly retrain for agricultural and forestry positions. The first starts at Telford on Monday (15th June) with five intakes every two weeks thereafter. 

The first two weeks are spent at Telford in Balclutha offering basic health and safety and first aid instruction along with a foundational understanding of what the job is. The course is free and accommodation, meals and personal protective equipment are provided at no charge.

The next two weeks are at spent at the Invercargill SIT campus and involves driver training through HW Richardson Group. Accommodation is provided (not meals).

The final two weeks are spent on work placement with contractors.